Trunk.



M. J. FINN.

TRUNK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8.1915.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN J. FINN, OF REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRUNK.

Application filed June 8, 1915.

To all whom it 11? av concern Be it known that I. MARTIN J. FINN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Revere. in the county of Suflolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide a trunk or box, which may be in general of a common or any other construction, having a lid, but is equipped with means for permitting the ready application and removal of a rope for more securely holding the lid closed.

The particular purpose and aim of the invention is this :-Many travelers commonly rope their trunks, passing a rope completely around the trunk either lengthwise or transversely, or both lengthwise and transversely. In case of a heavy trunk it is a matter of some difficulty, which is accomplished only by powerful exertion, to pass a rope in this manner around a heavily laden trunk. And there are some occasions, for example, in passing a customs examination, when a trunk must be opened speedily, often in a confined space, and again closed and roped. My invention is designed to do away with the necessity of lifting, or even moving the trunk when applying or removing a rope adapted to serve the purpose indicated. I accomplish this obiect by providing a permanent attachment to a trunk which has the function not only of securing the rope referred to, but of strengthening the trunk as well.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View representing a trunk having my invention applied thereto and roped. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 an end view of the same. Fig. 4 a bottom plan view of the same and Fig. 5 a perspective view of a hook or clip which forms a detail of my invention.

The trunk itself may be of any construction. common or otherwise. I have chosen for illustration an ordinary trunk consisting of a body a. a lid 6 attached to the body by hinges c and having the usual hasp (Z, lock 6, and clips f. g, g, 1 represent metal bands which are commonly used with such trunks for strengthening them. and h, h, h, 72. represent the ordinary stiffening cleats.

In carrying out my invention I provide straps or bands 7;, Z which are attached to the bottom, sides, and ends of the trunk Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 32,982.

body, the band is passing crosswise under the bottom and up along the front and rear sides, and the band l similarly passing lengthwise under the bottom and up along the two ends of the trunk. These bands are preferably of some strong and tough metal, such as strap iron or brass, and are securely and permanently attached to the bottom and to the side and end walls of the trunk by rivets m or equivalent fastenings. The ends of the bands terminate slightly below the edges of the lid 1) and are there provided with means for engagement by the rope. The means here shown for the purpose are hooks 0, which I consider preferable to other devices for the same purpose, although I have contemplated, and may use, rings, loops, etc.

The rope for holding the lid in closed position is shown at 7) and is represented as being engaged with all of the hooks 0 and as passing lengthwise and crosswise over the lid. It may be arranged in any other fashion however, the point being that however it is arranged, it can be placed and fastened easily and quickly without requiring the slightest shifting of the position of the trunk. \Vhen applied in the manner indicated here. the rope passes over the lock and thus guards the latter against injury.

I consider the books 0 preferable to other engaging means for the rope, in that it is not necessary to thread the rope through the hooks, as is the case where rings or loops are employed.

It will be seen that my invention not only enables the trunk to be roped much more easily and quickly than when a rope is passed entirely around it, but that it also gives added protection against loosening and dropping out ofthe trunk bottom, because the straps or bands 7.; and Z are stronger than any rope and less yielding.

\Vhat I claim and, desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a trunk comprising a bod and a cover, and hinges connecting said body and cover to ether. of a CJI wise free of all connection with the trunk, whereby it ma be readily removed.

2. The combination with a trunk comprising a body and a cover hinged together, of a strap passing crosswise under said body and up at the opposite walls thereof and permanently secured thereto, said strap being independent of the means for hinging the trunk body and cover together, a flexible binding member passing across the top of the trunk, being engaged with the opposite ends of the strap and its ends tied together, said binding member being otherwise unconnected with the trunk and adapted to be readily and completely removed therefrom.

3. The combination with a trunk comprising a body and a cover hinged together, of a strap passing crosswise under said body and up at the oppos te walls thereof and permanentlv secured thereto, said strap being independent of the means for hinging the trunk body and cover together, a flexible binding member passing across the top of the trunk, being engaged with the opposite ends of the strap and its ends tied together, said bind ng member being otherwise unconnected with the trunk and adapted to be readily and completely removed therefrom, said strap having coupling devices at the ends thereof adapted to be detachably engaged by said binding member.

4. The combination with a trunk comprising a body and a cover hinged together, of a strap passing crosswise under said body and up at the opposite walls thereof and permanently secured thereto, said strap being independent of the means for hinging the trunk body and cover together, a flexible binding member passing across the top of the trunk, being engaged with the opposite ends of the strap and its ends tied together, said binding member being otherwise unconnected with the trunk and adapted to be readily completely removed therefrom, and hooks secured to the ends of said strap constructed and arranged to permit of the binding member being slipped into and out of en agement therewith.

5. The combination with a trunk comprising a body and a cover, of a metal strap passing lengthwise under said body and up at the ends thereof and fastened thereto, hooks at both ends of said strap located below the cover, a second strap passing crosswise under the bottom of the trunk-and up at the sides thereof and being secured to said bottom and sides, hooks secured to the ends of the second strap, and a flexible binding member passing lengthwise and crosswise over the cover of the trunk, being engaged with the hooks of both straps, and its ends being tied together, and being otherwise free of all connection with the trunk, whereby it may be readily removed.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

MARTIN J. FINN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

